[Cornucopia will update this page with additional findings as they occur.]
Alexandre Family Farm’s organic certifier investigated alleged animal welfare issues occurring between 2019 and 2023. Inspections confirmed “systemic failures” on the operations and the suffering and death of multiple animals. Their operations are under increased scrutiny by their certifier for two years to evaluate compliance with livestock care and production practices.
Alexandre Family Farm dairy products have been downgraded on The Cornucopia Institute’s Organic Dairy Scorecard, and the brand is currently “under increased scrutiny,” per Cornucopia’s Scorecard Adjustments Policy.
Both Alexandre Family Farm product lines are impacted by Cornucopia’s policy:
Alexandre Family Farm / Alexandre EcoDairy (Land to Market certification)
Alexandre Family Farm 100% Grassfed (Regenerative Organic Certification)
Public Allegations and Findings
In April 2024, Farm Forward, a livestock animal welfare advocacy group, released the report “Dairy Deception: Corruption and Consumer Fraud at Alexandre Family Farm,” detailing whistleblower allegations and additional investigations by Farm Forward. Farm Forward filed complaints with the National Organic Program and the farm’s certifier, California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). The Atlantic published a follow-up investigative piece. Farm Forward keeps an updated timeline of events, starting with the initial whistleblower contact.
As a result of a Freedom of Information Act Request filed by Farm Forward, a National Organic Program Report of Investigation (available as a PDF or flipbook) was made public. While some allegations in the original complaint could not be substantiated, several were, including multiple instances of animal abuse and neglect. Alexandre Family Farm admitted to multiple violations of organic standards. (The FOIA also noted other instances of animal neglect that were found in organic inspections following the complaints, including severe hoof rot and calves in inappropriate and dirty housing.)
Due to systemic failures found, Alexandre Family Farm received a Combined Notice of Noncompliance and Proposed Suspension from CCOF.
In response to the proposed suspension, Alexandre Family Farm entered into a Settlement Agreement with CCOF and is receiving additional oversight and monitoring for two years (starting February 16, 2024). The settlement agreement lays out that Alexandre must establish procedures to meet the requirements of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Rule, submit to one unannounced inspection per year, and regularly give healthcare treatment and culling records to their certifier.
Throughout the inspection process, the operation implemented several new practices and procedures, trained staff, hired an animal welfare consultant, and, according to the NOP Report of Investigation, corrected the existing non-compliances.
Alexandre received an unannounced inspection by CCOF in June 2024. The inspection showed corrections of past non-compliances, though a few new animal welfare concerns were noted (including inappropriate horn trimming occurring during an unknown timeline).
In September 2025, Organic industry watchdog OrganicEye submitted new complaints to the NOP and USDA’s Office of the Inspector General against Alexandre and its certifier, CCOF. OrganicEye’s complaints contain new allegations, including multiple violations of the organic standards, and allegations of conflicts of interest between Alexandre and their certifier. Conflicts of interest are also alleged against the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), which administers the California State Organic Program. The OrganicEye allegations have not been substantiated at this time.
In addition to the activity around the National Organic Program, there are two lawsuits moving forward concerning Alexandre Family Farm.
First, Legal Impact for Chickens (LIC) has sued the business under California’s law against animal cruelty and neglect. The complaint seeks an injunction to protect Alexandre’s cattle. It alleges that Alexandre violated California penal code 597, which covers a range of acts considered to be animal abuse, including failing to provide animals with proper food, drink, or shelter, or failing to give animals proper care and attention. The lawsuit is ongoing (as of September 11, 2025); updates from LIC can be found here.
Alexandre is also the subject of a separate federal class action alleging that it falsely represented Alexandre Family Farm products as “humane” despite engaging in animal cruelty and neglect. The class action also targets Certified Humane for certifying Alexandre’s products. Essentially, the class action accuses the brand and Certified Humane of “humane-washing” their dairy products.
